Ben Hennessy says the Gunnedah business community has much to be thankful for, but big challenges lie ahead.

The outgoing Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president recently stepped back into an advisory role after two years as the organisation lead.

The move was in line with the chamber’s agreed succession plan where, similar to other groups in the community, its president would relinquish the position to the vice president – barring any challenges.

Mr Hennessy said the change in leadership ensures “fresh ideas, enthusiasm and continuity” would continue as a strong part of the business chamber which has delivered much during his tenure.

“We’ve grown our membership base and I think provided some good relevance to our members and have some good momentum,” he said.

Highlights include the inaugural gala ball in 2022 which coincided with a visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Commonwealth of Australia.

The chamber has also been the main driver behind the annual Gunnedah Christmas Fair and more recently, hosted the return of Gunnedah’s business awards.

Mr Hennessy said the transition from the gala ball to the awards has allowed the chamber to celebrate business as a whole as well as shine a spotlight on individual businesses.

There have been many challenges along the way – not least time management – but the presidency role “is what you make it”, Mr Hennessy says.

“It can be a tokenistic or you can roll your sleeves up and make sure you work hard in the role,” he added.

The latest challenge facing business across the Gunnedah shire is the impact of the special rate variation.

Recently endorsed by council at 32.25 per cent over two years for residential, farming and small business, Mr Hennessy said the impact on the community would be profound.

“We’re already reeling from affordability issues, that’s going to be another big cost for the community to bear,” he said.

He thought the proposed rate rise would make already tough financial conditions for commercial operators, exceptionally difficult.

“From a business point of view, we’ve already seen our retail and CBD sector with a lot of vacancies,” he said.

He said commercial tenants will be bracing for price hikes as landlords look to offset to the rate rises and newcomers are particularly vulnerable.

“A start up business will face higher operational costs and that could be a disincentive to kicking off their business,” Mr Hennessy said.

The former chamber president said business ratepayers will be asking the same question as their residential and farming counterparts: “what additional services do we get for that additional money we’re pouring into council?”

Despite the tough task ahead, Mr Hennessy stressed the community is fortunate to still have strong economic foundations – particularly in agriculture.

“We need to remember the ag sector underpins the economy in Gunnedah and the surrounds,” he said. “We’re on the cusp of one of the biggest harvests we’ve seen in a decade.

“That farmers are having a good harvest and have had a good sowing range for summer crops, we need to be very grateful for – that’s going to have a really good flow on effect for retail and cash flow in Gunnedah and district.

“We’re lucky we have strong employment conditions continuing in the mining and manufacturing sector as well.

“Whitehaven’s Vickery project is pushing ahead, as well as Maules Creek and Boggabri Coal. Even though they’re in the Narrabri shire, the reality is the majority of the workforce chooses to live in the Gunnedah shire.”

Mr Hennessy said the community is fortunate to benefit from the flow-on effects of the mining workforce with more people continuing to see Gunnedah as the place to call home.

“There is a lot going on, and we have a lot going ahead,” he said.

Outgoing Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president, Ben Hennessy.

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